District news – Week 28, 2019

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Strathfillan

There were 26 calls made to the police on the Strathfillan patch since the last community council meeting.

While many were duplicate calls, six were road related, five were for mountain rescues, four were regarding information, two for parking issues and there was one call made about an assault and another from someone concerned about a person.

The police officer at the meeting on Monday June 3 said: ‘Very busy month with mountain rescues – one only two days ago whereby a male had
fallen on Ben Lui and broken his leg. The others were all on the West Highland way.’

Dalavich

Sunday fun day will certainly live up to its name on August 4.

There will be a fun day outside the Dalavich Shop from 1pm until 5pm.

Free face painting and games for children will be on offer, with every youngster receiving a prize.

And the adults will be able to indulge in frozen cocktails. The event will also feature a variety of food and drink.

The poster reads: ‘Come join us rain or shine for an entertaining and relaxed Sunday afternoon that is sure to be fun for the entire family. All are welcome.’

Islay

The annual big car boot sale in Bowmore’s Mactaggart Leisure Centre will be held on Sunday July 28.

The event will start at 1pm and it will cost £5 for a stall, with holders required to bring their own tables.

The event is weather dependent and if conditions are adverse, it will be rescheduled.

To book a table, call the leisure centre on 01496 810767 or email karen@mactaggartleisurecentre.co.uk.

Islay

A summer ceilidh will be held in the Ballygrant Hall on Friday July 12.

The event will start at 1pm and there will be afternoon tea and entertainment.

This will include music and dance from the Spotlight Boogies, Niall Kirkpatrick, Ella Edgar Dancers, I+J Wind Band, Andy McCowan and I+J Pipes and Drums.

Transport will be provided.

To book a spot and/or transport, contact Gill on 07469174299 or email gillchasemore@argylltsi.org.uk.

Tiree, Mull and Iona

Pupils from a Glasgow conservation school were welcomed aboard by CalMac to visit communities on Tiree, Mull and Iona.

Sunnyside Primary School’s Ocean Defenders spent a week delivering presentations and workshops to island schools, as well as finding time for beach cleans.

The focus of their visit was to spread the word of two new campaigns they are working on: #SparkleDebacle to highlight the environmental harm glitter can cause and how to make a safe alternative.

As well as #DrainCampaign where pupils are encouraged chalk ocean scenes around drains to remind people where dropped litter can end up.

CalMac first teamed up with Sunnyside two years ago when they signed up for their #NaestrawsAtAw campaign.

Since then the company has started looking at other ways of cutting down on single use plastics.

Oban

Rainbow Childcare Graduation Class 2019. NO_T28_RainbowGrad

Children from Rainbow Childcare in Oban graduated at the end of last month.

The youngsters put on a show for their parents at the Corran Halls on Friday June 28.

One parent said: ‘The children and staff were amazing and what a performance they put on for family and friends. The next chapter of their lives awaits them and we are sure that they will confidently spread their wings as they leave us and move onto primary school.’

Helensburgh

Helensburgh’s only cinema is set to extend its premises after council chiefs gave its plans the green light.

An entrance foyer, bar, auditorium and four function suites are all on the agenda for the two-storey addition at The Tower, on the corner of West King Street and Sinclair Street.

Plans for an outdoor area on the second floor were scrapped due to concerns from neighbours about smokers and a lack of privacy.

But Argyll and Bute Council gave planning permission last Wednesday for the proposals, put together by chartered architects Honeyman, Jack and Robertson.

A report by council planning officer Frazer MacLeod said that the extension would contribute positively to tourism and recreation in Helensburgh town centre.

Mr MacLeod added: ‘This regeneration development will also be beneficial to The Tower business and other local businesses in the town centre.

‘The former church building is currently being used by The Tower as a venue for live events, drama, dance, theatre, cinema, music tuition, film making, photography, digital media as well as being a venue for conferences, small meetings and functions.

‘The lesser hall is used as a museum for an X-51 submarine as its centrepiece.

‘The extension is a modern modular addition comprising large areas of glazing, flat roofs, glass balustrades and will be viewed from behind both church and lesser hall.

‘External materials are contemporary by using zinc cladding and large areas of frameless glazing creating glass walls on public elevations, render finish is proposed on private areas.’

Two objections were lodged with the council during the planning process, one raising concerns at a lack of privacy resulting from the proposed second floor outdoor area. The other focused on potential lack of parking for residents.

Mr MacLeod said on the first of those concerns: ‘These matters were considered material and were put to the applicant who responded by deleting this outside area from the proposal.

‘Further to this an additional consultation was made to environmental health, who advise imposing a safeguarding condition regarding noise from any externally mounted plant or equipment which could cause nuisance to neighbouring residential properties.’

On the parking matter, Mr MacLeod added: ‘The area roads manager advises that the location of this site is at the edge of the designated town centre, therefore is not part of the zero parking provisions permitted for certain types of development within the town centre zone.

‘Within the development boundaries, the site has two parking spaces and little opportunity to create any significant parking provision.

‘It would not be unreasonable to conclude that the three existing car parks immediately to the south, and in particular the major parking provision at the pier (less than 400 metres from site), are suitable alternative parking provision to support this proposal.’

The Tower opened in 2016, replacing the former St Columba Church. It is a registered charity run by volunteers.

Oban

This time last year, the Argyll Scout Group had closed and there was a concern the group wouldn’t have enough volunteers to run in Oban.

But, after finding six new leaders, Oban’s Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts are thriving again and recently held their end of term party.

‘Things are looking good,’ Group Scout Leader, Jeff Anderson said. ‘We had our end of term party barbecue and there were quite a number of people there. It was good and we were pleased so many people came.’